My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children

cake is so pretty,

making a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the

stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s

the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a Happy

must sing the

Rachel must close her eyes

must blow

to Julian that there

in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very

who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with

gazes of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she

say thank you!” their

Just like that, the strangers

the light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled

need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your

me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed

changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep

turned and

her apartment and about to close the

a loud slam, the door was propped open by a large

glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more

on business? she

slid sideways into the house and shut the door before surveying

see you’ve been

steps back.

he stalked toward her as he pulled off his

sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days, would

her, forcing

no idea what she

of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way to